The toiletries provided

[Moochiecat5]

Yes, this is a dumb question, but how is the quality of the toiletries on the ship?  I don't use anything fancy here at home for shampoo and conditioner (I use Live Clean) but I do need something decent for my waist length hair. I don't really want to spend my time battling tangles.

I am trying.... trying to pack light.

[YourWorldWithBill]

All the stuff is good quality!

[Florida_gal_50]

I think its of drug store quality.  If that works you'll be fine.  I bring my own stuff.

[RuthC]

HAL uses Elemis products: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. 
It's a good product, IMO. 

[Moochiecat5]

7 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

All the stuff is good quality!

I'm reading some reviews and it looks like I should be fine.  We leave in a few weeks and I'm gearing up now....fussing over all sorts of little things 🤪

[Cruiz'nBaers]

I always bring my own hair care products.  I find Elemis shampoo very drying, leaving my hair feeling brittle.  I don’t care for the conditioner either.  The body lotion is not very creamy or moisturizing.  This is my experience.

[trk_koa]

My opinion is the products have a strong scent that I find unpleasant. So I bring my own.
 

If the soap at our pre-cruise hotel is good, I wrap it back up and bring it along also, so it doesn’t go to waste. 

[iflyrc5]

My wife has very sensitive skin and does fine with the products on the ships.

 

[Queen of DaNile]

Brought my own specialy shampoo but used their condition and it was fine.

Love the fragrance of the body wash but everyone is different.

Biggest problem was that the dispensers were bolted to the wall perpendicular to the sink so unless you were careful you had hand soap dripping on the floor.

[albingirl]

I like their products alot, but found its best to bring my own moisturizing lotion onboard, especially in cool weather. In humid weather, elemis is just fine. It's light.

[Gsel]

I agree the scent is very strong. Hate to get into a elevator with someone who has used all of the products at once! We make a fast exit!

[NCTribeFan]

I bring my own shampoo, conditioner & face wash.  But I love the other Elemis products. 

[caminomama]

Elemis is a high quality brand which is used in many spas. you can go to their web site and check out the products if you are concerned about ingredients

[OlsSalt]

Even the rather grand EmiratesPalace Hotel in Abu Dhabi UAE showcases Elemis products for their spa.  Spotted their spa display case on our way to have Tea during a cruise stop.

 

 I find the scent pleasant. It is now an evocative  reminder of good times and good cruises. Though I use the Elemis body wash for shampoo, and the shampoo for body wash. 

 

But I also bring a tiny smidgen of my favorite Biolage brand shampoo - so little of their products go such a long way, if you are looking to save packing space.

 

 

[HUNKY]

I dislike any kind of body wash, and bring my own soap for the shower.

 

On Rotterdam VI there was only liquid soap at the sink.  I asked our steward for a bar of soap.  He dropped off a full-size bar of Ivory!  Guess they don't have the small paper-wrapped bars anymore.

 

I tipped extra since that may have come from his personal stash.

[OlsSalt]

I believe the small store on board also carries various brands of soap bars. We always pack lightweight soap dish as well. Others take the small bars from any overnight hotel they stay in before the cruise. 

[Queen of DaNile]

What is a lightweight soap dish? Didn't see any soap bars in the gift shop on Westerdam and if there were, would be terrified of the price. LOL

[OlsSalt]

10 minutes ago, Queen of DaNile said:

What is a lightweight soap dish? Didn't see any soap bars in the gift shop on Westerdam and if there were, would be terrified of the price. LOL

 

There are plastic soap dishes, or some rubbery mesh ones.  We have a very light weight wooden slat one. Allows the soap to dry - not like the ceramic ones with no drain holes which are also heavier and bulkier. 

 

Here are some nice packable, light weight soap dish options:  https://theyamazakihome.com/collections/soap-dishes-dispensers

 

I believe on most ships the small retail offerings is often found in the duty free liquor store, much of it behind the counter, but with a fair amount of OTC drugstore type items. 

Edited March 24, 2023 by OlsSalt